So my girlfriend had an issue with a 9600GSO in her rig. She's returning it to the shop she got it from and they're giving her in store credit. Given that she has the opportunity to upgrade at this point, I offered to chip in and move her up to a HD4850 since it's the 'card to have'. So we ordered a Sapphire HD4850, but when the shop called us to say it's in, we found out they ordered an ASUS EAH4850 by mistake. The ASUS retails for $221 and the Sapphire retails at $199. The store insists that the ASUS is a better card and they're willing to let us have it at the price of the Sapphire, but every review I read on the 4850 seems to favour the Sapphire. Should I take the ASUS or wait a week on a reorder of the Sapphire???

*Edit* both cards are 512MB editions

tfran

September 4, 2008 04:00 PM

There's a good chance they're EXACTLY the same card as they're both probably reference designs. Maybe they favour Sapphire's choice of sticker adhesive or ink?

Eldonko

September 4, 2008 04:02 PM

I would take ASUS, better warranty service. Sapphire are weasels when it comes to RMA. That's my experience anyway.

tubabub

September 4, 2008 04:04 PM

They are exactly the same card and perform the same. The only thing that is different is the manufacturer's warranty so verify which is better and make your choice based on that.

Squeetard

September 4, 2008 04:57 PM

Not quite. SKYMTL's review showed that the Saphire has a vapor box for a heatsink on the gpu. Slightly better cooling.

Thanks for the speedy feedback gang. I'm feeling a lot more comfortable about going with the ASUS now. Sapphire might have a slightly better cooling solution, but ASUS counters that with a much better warranty. If those are the primary differences, then it's OK. I was more concerned that one would have performance differences from the other.

sswilson

September 4, 2008 05:16 PM

Don't know about the 4850s, but the Asus 3XXX cards shipped with better software that was actually able adjust the fan speeds. :)

Squeetard

September 4, 2008 05:49 PM

I'm guessing zero performance difference. Can't go wrong with either.

geokilla

September 4, 2008 07:06 PM

Whether it's ASUS or Sapphire, they're both good. However, I read that Sapphire charged a member at another forum $15 for RMAing his 1900XT. In the end, he paid the $15 and he got a 2900 Pro. So if you're going to get the Sapphire, "add" $15 to whatever you're paying for a RMA fee.

Plus, I've heard that Sapphire's CSRs are very reluctant to RMA and stuff. I don't know the exact details. Since you can get the ASUS card for the exact same price, I'd take the ASUS over the Sapphire.

Oh a side note. Does the ASUS use a reference cooler or is it one of those Zalman-looking coolers?

Caldezar

September 4, 2008 08:37 PM

The ASUS has a reference cooler. It's identical to the Sapphire except that the sticker they use is a flowery pink and stuck across the majority of the casing... which kinda sucks but whatever.